Oklahoma and Auburn have faced each other only one time before, in the 1971 season Sugar Bowl (the Sooners won, 40-22). Bob Stoops against the SEC has been great theater in recent years, and the Sooners should be relishing the opportunity to back their coach again against an SEC foe. The Tigers have a good defense and a tremendous defensive line. But Baker Mayfield, Dede Westbrook, Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine were unstoppable in the Big 12. Can they torch one of the SEC's better defenses, too?

2. Valero Alamo Bowl, Oklahoma State vs. Colorado, Dec. 29:

The Big Eight is back, baby. From 1960 to 2009, the Buffs and Pokes met 44 times, with Oklahoma State holding a 19-24-1 record. After several seasons of futility since exiting the Big 12, Colorado was among the most surprising stories in college football this season. Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph vs. former Bill Snyder lieutenant and Colorado defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt will be the matchup to watch in this one.

3. Russell Athletic Bowl, West Virginia vs. Miami, Dec. 28:

We very nearly had an Orlando version of the Backyard Brawl. This is not a bad consolation, though. West Virginia loves to recruit the city of Miami, which should serve as an interesting backdrop for this game. This is also a rekindling of a former mild Big East rivalry, which the Hurricanes dominated.

4. Advocare V100 Texas Bowl, Kansas State vs. Texas A&M, Dec. 28:

K-State will head to Houston on a bit of an upswing, while the Aggies have been heading in the wrong direction for awhile. Texas A&M deprived Bill Snyder the chance to play in a national championship in 1998. K-State winning this game wouldn't come close to making up for that, but defeating the Aggies a fourth straight time wouldn't hurt.

5. Autozone Liberty Bowl, TCU vs. Georgia, Dec. 30:

The Bulldogs had a lousy year, but Georgia is still a name team. Gary Patterson going up against Nick Chubb is not a bad matchup to watch, either.

6. Motel 6 Cactus Bowl, Baylor vs. Boise State, Dec. 27:

With the hiring of Matt Rhule this week, the Bears have finally begun to turn the page on the Art Briles era. While Rhule will be out recruiting to salvage this upcoming signing class, outgoing coach Jim Grobe can also improve morale by leading the Bears to their first win since Oct. 15, which feels like forever ago.